Polymer hydrogels resemble the natural living tissue due to their high water content and soft consistency. They find many applications in the design and production of contact and intraocular lenses ... [more ▼]

Polymer hydrogels resemble the natural living tissue due to their high water content and soft consistency. They find many applications in the design and production of contact and intraocular lenses, biosensors membranes, matrices for repairing and regenerating a wide diversity of tissues and organs. Polysaccharides such as chitosan and hyaluronic acid based hydrogels have shown a great potential for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, on account of their remarkable compatibility with physiological medium. Besides, it is degraded in a physiological environment into non-toxic products, which make them outstanding candidates for short- to medium-term applications, especially for tissue engineering. In this respect, the preparation of nanometric fibers mats based on this polysaccharide are highly interesting as such structure mimics the one of skin extracellular matrix. Such nanofibrous materials can be prepared by electrospinning (Figure 1). This technique uses a high voltage to create an electrically charged jet of polymer solution to obtain polymer fibers ranging from nanometers to a few microns in diameter. We thus have investigated strategies allowing to generate chitosan based nanofiber mats exhibiting a mechanical resistance strong enough to be easily handled while keeping the peculiar features of chitosan hydrogels favoring the interaction with cells and soft tissues to provide efficient tissue reconstruction. In a first strategy, polysaccharide-based nanofibers with a multilayered structure were prepared by combining electrospinning (ESP) and layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition techniques. Elastic nanofibers bearing charges at their surface were firstly prepared by electrospinning poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with a polyelectrolyte precursor. After activation by adjusting the pH, the layer-by-layer deposition of chitosan and hyaluronic acid, can be used to coat the electrospun fibers. A multilayered structure is then achieved by alternating the deposition of the positively charged chitosan with the deposition of a negatively charged polyelectrolyte. These novel polysaccharide-coated PCL fiber mats remarkably combine the mechanical resistance typical of the core material (PCL) – particularly in the hydrated state –, with the surface properties of chitosan. Besides, crosslinked nanofibrous mats of chitosan and polyethylene oxide blends, were successfully prepared via electrospinning technique followed by heat mediated chemical crosslinking. This chemical cross-linking allows adjusting the mechanical resistance of the mats while preserving their biocompatibility. In both cases, the control of the nanofiber structure offered by the electrospinning technology, makes the developed processes very promising to precisely design biomaterials for tissue engineering. Preliminary cell culture tests corroborate the potential use of such systems in wound healing applications. [less ▲]

Charged nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning (ESP) poly(ε-caprolactone) with a copolymer bearing carboxylic acid functions. The presence of these functions allowed exposing some negative charges on ... [more ▼]

Charged nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning (ESP) poly(ε-caprolactone) with a copolymer bearing carboxylic acid functions. The presence of these functions allowed exposing some negative charges on the fiber surface, by dipping the fibers in a phosphate buffer. A layer of chitosan, a polycation in acidic medium, was then deposited on the nanofiber surface, thanks to electrostatic attraction. Fibers were characterized at each step of the process and the influence of the copolymer architecture on chitosan deposition was discussed. The antibacterial activity of the resulting fibers was finally assessed. [less ▲]

In previous works, poly(D,L-lactide-co-?CL-poly(ethylene glycol) (poly(D,L-La-co-?PEG?CL) amphiphilic graft- 10 copolymers were successfully synthesized according to a copper azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) strategy. This paper aims 11 at reporting on the behavior of this amphiphilic copolymer in water, which was not studied in the previous paper. Moreover, 12 the ability of the copolymer to stabilize a PLA nanoparticles aqueous suspension is presented. For this purpose, dynamic 13 light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are proposed to characterize the nanoparticles in solution. 14 Otherwise, the strategy developed for the synthesis of the amphiphilic copolymers was adapted and extended to the synthesis of 15 PLA-based degradable hydrogel, potentially applicable as drug-loaded degradable polymer implant. [less ▲]

Polysaccharide-based nanofibers with amultilayered structure are prepared by combining electrospinning (ESP) and layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition techniques. Charged nanofibers are firstly prepared by electrospinning poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with a block-copolymer bearing carboxylic acid functions. After deprotonation of the acid groups, the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolyte polysaccharides, notably chitosan and hyaluronic acid, is used to coat the electrospun fibers. A multilayered structure is achieved by alternating the deposition of the positively charged chitosan with the deposition of a negatively charged polyelectrolyte. The construction of this multi-layered structure is followed by Zeta potential measurements, and confirmed by observation of hollow nanofibers resulting from the dissolution of the PCL core in a selective solvent. These novel polysaccharide-coated PCL fiber mats remarkably combine the mechanical resistance typical of the core material (PCL) – particularly in the hydrated state –, with the surface properties of chitosan. The control of the nanofiber structure offered by the electrospinning technology, makes the developed process very promising to precisely design biomaterials for tissue engineering. Preliminary cell culture tests corroborate the potential use of such system in wound healing applications. [less ▲]

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from the chitin of crustacean or mushroom shells, that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This ... [more ▼]

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from the chitin of crustacean or mushroom shells, that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, on account of its remarkable compatibility with physiological medium. Besides, it is degraded in a physiological environment into non-toxic products, which make chitosan an outstanding candidate for short- to medium-term applications. In this respect, nanometric fibers are highly interesting as their assembly mimics the skin extracellular matrix structure. Such nanofibrous materials can be prepared by electrospinning (ESP). This technique uses a high voltage to create an electrically charged jet of polymer solution or melt which leads to fibers formation. Depending on the polymer characteristics (a.o. molecular weight, solution viscosity and conductivity) and processing conditions (electric potential, distance between syringe-capillary and collection plate, concentration, flow rate), polymer fibers ranging from nanometers to a few microns in diameter can be obtained and subsequently used as potential scaffolds, a.o. to form a temporary, artificial extracellular matrix. In the present study, electrospinning technique was combined with layer-by-layer deposition method (LBL) - a well-known method for surface coating, based on electrostatic interactions - in order to prepare multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers. The antibacterial properties of the obtained material were then assessed, and the presence of a multilayered deposit was confirmed by several techniques. The multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers produced present great prospects for the preparation of new biomedical scaffolds - such as wound dressings that could improve skin regeneration. [less ▲]

Derived from chitin, chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, beside biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of ... [more ▼]

Derived from chitin, chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, beside biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of primary amines along the chitosan backbone. As a consequence, this polysaccharide is a relevant candidate in the field of biomaterials, especially for tissue engineering. The current article highlights the preparation and properties of innovative chitosan-based biomaterials, with respect to their future applications. The use of chitosan in 3D-scaffolds – as gels and sponges – and in 2D-scaffolds – as films and fibers – is discussed, with a special focus on wound healing application. [less ▲]

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from the chitin of crustacean or mushroom shells, that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This ... [more ▼]

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from the chitin of crustacean or mushroom shells, that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, on account of its remarkable compatibility with physiological medium. Besides, it is degraded in a physiological environment into non-toxic products, which make chitosan an outstanding candidate for short- to medium-term applications. In this respect, nanometric fibers are highly interesting as their assembly mimics the skin extracellular matrix structure. Such nanofibrous materials can be prepared by electrospinning (ESP). This technique uses a high voltage to create an electrically charged jet of polymer solution or melt which leads to fibers formation. Depending on the polymer characteristics (a.o. molecular weight, solution viscosity and conductivity) and processing conditions (electric potential, distance between syringe-capillary and collection plate, concentration, flow rate), polymer fibers ranging from nanometers to a few microns in diameter can be obtained and subsequently used as potential scaffolds, a.o. to form a temporary, artificial extracellular matrix. In the present study, electrospinning technique was combined with layer-by-layer deposition method (LBL) - a well-known method for surface coating, based on electrostatic interactions - in order to prepare multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers. The antibacterial properties of the obtained material were then assessed, and the presence of a multilayered deposit was confirmed by several techniques. (Future) possibilities for valorization: These multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers present great prospects for the preparation of new biomedical scaffolds - such as wound dressings that could improve skin regeneration. [less ▲]

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers ranging from 250 to 700 nm in diameter were produced by electrospinning a polymer tetrahydrofuran/N,N-dimethylformamide solution. The mechanical properties of the fibrous ... [more ▼]

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers ranging from 250 to 700 nm in diameter were produced by electrospinning a polymer tetrahydrofuran/N,N-dimethylformamide solution. The mechanical properties of the fibrous scaffolds and individual fibers were measured by different methods. The Young’s moduli of the scaffolds were determined using macro-tensile testing equipment, whereas single fibers were mechanically tested using a nanoscale three-point bending method, based on atomic force microscopy and force spectroscopy analyses. The modulus obtained by tensile-testing eight different fiber scaffolds was 3.8 ± 0.8 MPa. Assuming that PCL fibers can be described by the bending model of isotropic materials, a Young’s modulus of 3.7 ± 0.7 GPa was determined for single fibers. The difference of three orders of magnitude observed in the moduli of fiber scaffolds vs. single fibers can be explained by the lacunar and random structure of the scaffolds. [less ▲]

Surface-charged nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique (ESP). For this purpose, a copolymer bearing carboxylic acid functions was added to a poly(D,L-lactide) solution just before ESP ... [more ▼]

Surface-charged nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique (ESP). For this purpose, a copolymer bearing carboxylic acid functions was added to a poly(D,L-lactide) solution just before ESP process. In a basic medium, negative charges were therefore revealed on fiber surface. By deposition of positively charged particles or polyelectrolytes, surface properties of the fibers could be tailor-made for a specific application. This versatile method can, for example, be applied to the preparation of new biomedical scaffolds. [less ▲]

Chitosan is a natural polymer that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical ... [more ▼]

Chitosan is a natural polymer that intrinsically presents haemostatic, mucoadhesive, antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. This polysaccharide has shown a great potential for biomedical applications, on account of its remarkable compatibility with physiological medium and its biodegradability. In this respect, nanometric fibers are highly interesting as their assembly mimics the skin extracellular matrix structure. Such nanofibrous materials can be prepared by electrospinning (ESP) and can be used as scaffolds, a.o. to form a temporary, artificial extracellular matrix. In the present study, electrospinning technique was combined with layer-by-layer deposition method (LBL) – a well-known method for surface coating, based on electrostatic interactions – in order to prepare multilayered chitosan-based nanofibers for wound healing application. [less ▲]